Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-08

The prohfbitfonists are whiting down the eppo-
sition majority in Michigan, and have some hope
OF overcoming IL altogether but the probabilities
are that this hope Will not be realized Ia the
New YORK legislature the prohibitioniSts Joined
the liquor men to oppose the high license bill OF
the temperance people. In Michigan the temper
ance advocates, who favor stringent regulation
OF the liquor traffic in cities, and its prohibition,
II in accordance with local sentiment, in the eoun
try. voted with the liquor men against general,
constitutional prohibition. The cities opposed pro-
hibition almost solidly; the mass OF the country
voters favored IL. The wisest laws are not always
the very best that can be framed in the abstract,
but are the best which the people can endure and
VIII enforce. 1t Is upon this principle that local
option laws are indicated. II the prevailing SEN
timent OF q limited district favors prohibition,
each resident adhering To that sentiment win see
tOlt that prOhibitOry enactment Is enforced In
some OF the neighboring counties OF Maryland the
happiest results are produced through decisions
for prohibition under local option law. In the
eeHters of population, II choice were given, the
decision would be for high license, instead OF for
prohibition. All voting on the subject including
the recent election in Michigan, sho VS. this con-
elusiyely And as our cities and their citizens are
al present constituted the full enforcement Of q
prohibition law Is impossible. A prOhibitOry
amendment to the Constitution OF the United
states would not now be universally enforced; nor
would prohibitOry amendment to the conStitu-
ton OF state. AL who favor the reduction Of
the admitted evils Of strong drink to a minimum
can unite in favor1ng the system OF LEGAL option
and In working under that system to change pub
lie sentiment In the local districts now opposed to
prohibition IL seems wiser as present expe-
dent TO prohibit the liquor traffic where the peO-
pie want and viii enforce such Law, and to place
the trafhc under stringent regulation in places
where the people viii not as Jet favor and en-
force prohibition, than TO endanger what Is
already gained by narrowing the alternatives to a
choice between absolute prohibition every where
and unrestricted liquor traffic everywhere
The recent elections teach TO the opposing politi-
cal organizations not only the necessity OF def
mite policy upon the great issues OF the day. but
also the public demand for good candidates and
good methods. Something more than the name
win be required to hold the voter TO the republican
or the democratic ticket. Not only do the liquor
and labor questions override and in part obliterate
party lines, but on small proyocation In the char
acter OF legislation OF candidates, the voter de-
clareS himself Independent OF party ties The
Labor strength was drawn from both parties and
In some places both parties fused against it.
Voters on prohibition divided on an issue to which
party organization seemed Insignificant Dis
gusted democrats voted for a republican mayor OF
Philadelphia, and disguised republicans voted for
democratic Officers in Minneapolis and demo-
cratic governor of Rhode Island The people saw
Enthusiastically, to the parties, propose good men
and definite issues.